Variable flow shower head



Aug. 20, 1935. E. s. CORNELL, JR 2,011,563

VARIABLE FLOW SHOWER HEAD I Filed April 12, 1935 VENTOR.

' IN ED ARD 5.CORNEL L,JR.

0R EY Patented Aug. 20, 1935' UNITED STATESPATENT. CE

VARIABLE FLOW snoWER HEAD Edward S. Cornell, Jr., Larchmont, N. Y., assignor to American Radiator Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application April 12, 1933, Serial No. 665,635

10 Claims. (01. 299-144) This invention relates to variable flow shower heads.

More particularly, the invention is directedto .;a shower head comprising a hollow casing, a

plurality of elements disposed in the casing, such elements including relatively displaceable portions provided with stream regulating orifices, and means for effecting displacement of such stream regulating portions to thereby regulate the extent of stream flow from fine spray to ,fiood.

In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the elements are duplicates of one another, each element. being of general cylindrical or ,.other suitable arcuate shape, the edge portions "being displaceable and functioning in complementary relation, and suitable pressure exerting means for effecting pressure upon the respective elements to adjust the extent of displacement of the complementary edge portions and thereby regulate the effective discharge from spray to flood and conversely. For fine spray discharge, the edge portions are provided with complementary recesses.

In the more preferred forms of the invention,

i-the elements are formed of resilient material to thereby afford self-retractive movement of the complementary edge portions of each element relative to one another upon release of pressure.

The most preferred commercial embodiments ofmy invention comprise a hollow casing of gen-' eral cylindrical form, the lower flat face of the casingbeing perforated by groups of perforae tions, the perforations of each group being arranged in radial alignment, a circularly bent ele- 'ment of resilient metal associated with each group of perforations, each element normally as suming a nearly full circumference, the complementary edge portions being preferably provided with openings, a pressure exerting plate disposed *Within the casing and displaceabletoward and from the respective elements, and cam means provided with a finger piece for controlling the displacement of such plate whereby upon pressure exerting movement the plate effects closer and closer juxtaposition of the complementary edge portions in direction transverse to the direction of flow of the fluid through the perforated. casing and therewith of the corresponding complementary openings thereat, and vice versa, whereby the water or other fluid supplied to the intake of the casing is regulated in its discharge through the respective groupsof discharge perforations by the relative positions of the complementary edge portions to one another.

Further features and objects of the invention will be more fully understood from the following detail description and the accompanying drawing, in which .Fig. 1 is a central vertical sectional elevation of a preferred embodiment of the invention:

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional elevation on line 22ofFig.l; Fig. 3 is a detail vertical sectional elevation on the line 3-3 of .Fig.. 1; in this view the shower head elements are set in spray stream status;

Fig. 4 is a'detail elevation similar to Fig. 3, but showing the shower head elements in flood, stream status; and a v Fig. 5 is a perspective view of atypical shower head element.

. Referring-to the a hollow body ill, the head llof which may be] arcuately co'nvergently flared to form a terminal or nipple l2, which may be provided with thread-f ing l3 for engagement with a complementary 20",

threaded pip-e or'equi'valent.

As shown in, the drawing, the face plate I4 is secured to the flat annular face rim of the body In by screws l5.

The discharge perforations of the shower head 5 I open at its oppositeends. In normal status, its

complementary edges ll'a, i111 are spaced-from] one another. To effectively locate the element l'i relative to the inner face of the face plate i4 7 I provide concave grooves it} which may be milled,- cast or otherwiseformed, the contiguous edges Ila, lib being locatedsubstantialiy centrally in downward position with respect to the groove l8. At the respective edges Ila, llb, I provide' openings which function in complementary pairs, each pair of openings being located in register with'its associated discharge perforation l6; advantageously, each opening maybe in the form of a V notch. The openings atone edge portion Ila are designated l9, l9a, l9b, l9c, 19d, see Fig. 5, and the respective complementary openings at the other edge portion llb aredesignated 20, 2M, 2th, 200, the stated sets of complementary openings of the thus extended notched edges registering with the respective perforations of the perforated face of the hollow r 30 the drawing, each element I] drawing, the casing comprises casing and being of smaller effective extent of opening as compared with the respective stated perforations.

The pressure plate is designated 2|. For convenience of mounting and stability of the parts in their several displaced positions, a boss 22 is provided, which may be integral centrally with the inner face of the face plate l4, or otherwise rigidly secured thereto. The pressure plate 2| is provided with a central opening dimensioned to make a fairly accurate fit about the boss 22.

The outer edge of the pressure plate 2|, see 2|a, is dimensioned materially less than the inner diameter of the hollow casing H], to provide for a clearance of general annular formation, see

7 23, between the edge 2|a. and the inner face of the casing I0; the clearance 23 affords passage for water or other-fluid supplied to the head orifice I2a.

i The pressure plate 2| is regulated in pressure exerting relation to stream flow control elements ll-in any suitable manner.

Conveniently, the displacement of the pressure plate 2| in pressure exerting relation to the stream flow controlling elements I] is had by cam movement to impart progressive displacement ofthe plate 2| toward the front plate l4, and the resiliency of the material of the stream flow control elements |1 relied upon for the return movement of the pressure plate 2| In such arrangement, and as is illustrated in the drawing, the cam may be'formed on a rod 24 which is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings, such as'a bearingopening -25 formed at one side in the annular wall I!) of the casing," the opposite end of the rod 24 being journaled in the bearing opening 26 formed in the head of the boss 22. The set screw 21 cooperates with the groove 28 formed about the rod 24 to retainjthe cam rod "24 in position. A gasket 29 and retaining ring 30 are provided for the exterior end of; the rod 24. The rod is manipulated byja handle 3|,

attached to its exterior end by a square or other noncircular. fit, see 32, and retaining screw 33.

f Cams are conveniently formed on the rod 24 by reduction of its contour as is indicated at 34, 35, shown formed on opposite sides of the rod 24 journalle'd within theboss 22; these cam portions are preferably formed symmetrically to thereby impart substantially uniform pressure upon the pressure plate 2| and therewith uniformly' transmit. pressure to the individual stream flow controlling'elements H. ;.The cams 34, 35. are rotatively received within elevated concave formations 36,36 on the upper face of the pressure plate 2|.

For further retention of the individual stream fiow'control elements ",1 counterbore the'under face ofthe pressure plate 2|, as is indicated at 31, preferably substantially circularly conforming-generally to the outer contour of the individual stream control elements I 1. As is ap parent, the stream flow control elements l1, and

particularly their extended notched edges are located at all stages of displacement, for attain- 'ing spray to flood streams and vice versa, wholly without the plane of the perforated face, of the hollow casing. v

As'viewed in Figs. 1 and 3, the cams 34,35 are respectively in maximum pressure exerting position. :UpOn turning the handle 3| the cams 34, 35 are gradually moved toward and to the position of minimum or nil pressure. As illustrated in Fig. 4the cam 34, .(andcorrespondingly the.

cam 35) is in an intermediate pressure exerting position.

It will be observed that .the elevation of the respective concave formations 136, 36 provides for the clearance, ,see 38, between the full round of the rod 24 and the upper face of the pressure plate 2|, to afford free rotation of the full diamrotation of the cams formed by slotting anedge portion of an element |'|,see Fig. 5, and bending back the same.

The above stated construction permits of ready assembly, namely, upon placing the individual stream controlflow elements ll within thecountersunk spaces IS on the underfacc plate |4,

with their edge portions I'Ia', I lb, positioned downwardly, and the complementary openings; i9, 20, etc. in proximate relation to the perforaa tions |6 of the casing; then thcrpressure plate 2| is passed about the boss 22.to. locate thecoun-i: terbore areas 31 on theunderface 'ofthepresf, sure plate 2! about the respective; stream Yfiowi control elements The thus "assembled partsv are placedwithin the head'of the" casing, then the rod 3| is passed through the outer. bearing opening 25, thence through the concave forma-;.-

tions 35, 36 and through the -bossebearing open:. ing 26. The set screw 21 may then betightened; in position by access through'the nipplev opening 1 I2; the gasket 29and its' retainingring 30, and

the handle 34 may thenbe assembled. The facel I4 is then .or previously secured .by its plate screws I5. The fluid flow through the shower headwill be understood from the foregoing. The'stre'arn flow control elements H, as will be observed, are' open to fluid passage from the'annular clearance 23,

i. e., between the peripheraliedge 2|a.,of the pressure plate 2 I and-the inner faceiof the'ca'sing l6, by access into the opposite open'endsofxthe' elements Access is also afforded between the front-plate M and the pressure 'plate}2| by the provisionof the inflow openings llc, seeFigs;

.5 2 and 5, formed at the oppositelateralsidesjof,

each element Preferably, these openingsl'lc are formed in alignment at each latera1,side;-. the sets of openings |'|c are symmetrical to the edge portions Ila, IIb, thereby to "enhance they resiliency, of the material of each element 11.

From the'above it is apparent that my in.-

vention comprises'a combination of a casing having a perforated face, combined with stream I .60;

flow controlling elements comprising complementary portions displaceable relatively to one? another in direction whollyv transversetothe direction of the flow of the fluid through the perforated face of the casing, and means for effecttary portions to thereby. adjust the resulting; stream from spray. to flood status'and vice versa.

ing displacement to and fro of suchcomplemen- Preferably, such complementary, 'displaceable elements embody coacting notched edgeswhereby'the. control of thestream isv primarily effected;

by the relationship of the coacting notches.

Most preferably, the stream flow. controlling? elements embody resilient material and displace-. j;

ment effecting means operated by pressure. en

gagement with such resilient stream flow conthe desi'red change of the stream through the casing. Y I 1 V I i-whereas' I have described m invention'ty referen'cet'o specific forms thereof it will be under stood that many changes and modifications ma lie-made without departing rrom'the spirit of the invention r r I v "*lclaimz 1 lJ-A shower head providing for-sprayto flood streams and vice versa comprising, in combination, a hollow ca'sing having a face providedwith' relatively largeou'tflow perforations, stream flow controlling" elements" each comprising complementary portions having extended notched edges forming relatively smaller openings registering respectively with said perforations and displaceable relatively towards and from one another wholly transversely of the direction of flow of the fluid through the perforations in the face of the casing, each of saidelements being disposed at all times wholly without the plane of said face, and means for-effecting displacement to and fro of said complementary displaceable elements thereby to adjust the resulting stream from spray of flood status and vice versa.

2. A shower head providing for spray to flood streams and vice versa comprising, in combination, a hollow casing having a face provided with relatively large outflow perforations, a plurality of hollow, cylindrically formed, stream flow controlling elements each split longitudinally along one side to provide extended adjacent edges, the adjacent edges being provided with notches thereby to form relatively small perforations, said elements being arranged to register their respective relatively small openings with the perforations in the perforated face of the casing, said notched edges being displaceable relatively to one another wholly transversely of the direction of flow of the fluid through the perforations in the face of the casing; and means for effecting displacement to and fro of said complementary displaceable elements thereby to adjust the resulting streams through the perforations.

3. A shower head providing for spray to flood streams and vice versa comprising, in combination, a casing having a face providedwith groups of relatively large outflow perforations; a set of stream flow elements for controlling the flow of fluid through said groups of perforations respectively, each of said flow controlling elements including extended coacting notched edge portions forming relatively smaller openings registering with said perforations respectively and flow therethrough; and means for effecting displacement of said displaceable coacting portions uniformly in common whereby the resulting stream isadjusted uniformly from stage to st'age as desired. I I r g 4'. A'showe'r head providing for spray t5 streams andvice versa comprising, in combine tion, a casing having a face provided with grou s of relatively large outflow perforations; a set of stream flow elements for controlling the new or fluid through saidper'forations respectivelt'rescn element ofsaid Set comprising a hellow cal tube split'longitudinally to form ei'r tei-ided ladjac'e'nt edges, the adjacent edges being notched to-proviue relatively small perforations aiid"di place'able relatively to one another in a diitidii wholly transverse of the direction of fluid new through the perrorations of the race and ranged in-pc'sitio'n to regulate the new j through; and means for effecting displacement of said coacting edges ufiifdrz'nly' in common whereby the resulting streams are adjusted u'ni forin'ly' from stage to stageas desired. 1

5. A s ower head roviding n spray to need streams and vic versa cdrfip'ris irig'lh fifiilirifla tion, a casing having groups of ilatlvly llfiig outflow perforations;- a-s't of hollow; cylindrical 1y formed, stream flow elements an cont?cllir'lg the fiOW Of fluid through said groups df f ifffi' tions respectively, each' df said eli'fi 'fi-ts bein split longitudinally along O'h Side topr'dvid tend d ad acent edg'es, said edges seine listener to the direction of fluid flow tnres ntne per: forations' of the casing and arranges posit-lei! to regulate the flow therethrough'; and means for effecting displacement of said displaceable c0- acting portions uniformly in common thereby to adjust the resulting streams uniformly from stage to stage as desired.

6. A shower head providing for spray to flood streams and vice versa comprising, in combination, a casing having groups of relatively large outflow perforations in one face; a set of hollow, cylindrically formed, stream flow elements, one for each group of perforations, each element being split longitudinally along one side to provide extended adjacent edges and provided with notches in the adjacent edges to form relatively small perforations when the edges are in substantial contact, said flow controlling elements tion, a casing having one face provided with radially disposed groups of relatively large outflow perforations; a set of cylindrically formed, stream flow elements one for each group .for controlling the flow of fluid through the groups respectively, each of said elements comprising a cylindrically formed tube of resilient material split longitudinally along one side to form extended adjacent edges, the adjacent edges being notched to provide relatively smaller perforations registering with the perforations in said face, said adjacent edges being displaceable relatively to one another in a direction wholly transverse .to the direction of fluid flow through the perforations of the face; and a single means for effecting displacement of said adjacentf edges uniformly in commonwhereby all of the resulting streamsare "adjusted uniformly from stage to stageas desired.

8.---A shower head providing for spray to flood streams and viceversa comprising, in combination, a hollow casing having a face provided with relatively'large outflow perforations,-a plurality of hollow, cylindrically formed,stream flow controlling elements each split longitudinally along onegside to, provide extended adjacent edges, the

adjacent edges being provided with notches thereby to form relatively small perforations, said elements being arranged to-register their respective'relatively small openings with the perforations in the perforated face of the casing, said-notched edges being displaceable relatively V to-one another wholly transversely of the direc- 207.

. strearnsand vice versa comprising, in combination, 'a-casing having a face provided with groups of relatively large outflow perforations; a set of stream flow elements for controlling-the flowtof fluid through said groups of perforations respectively, each of said flow controlling elements including extended coacting notchededge portions forming relatively smaller openings registering with said perforations respectively and displaceable relatively to one another in a direction transverse to the direction of flow, through the perforations and arranged to regulate the flow ,therethrough; each of saidelements being disposed at all times wholly without the plane of said face; and means for effecting displace ment of said displaceable coacting portions uniformly in common whereby the resulting stream is adjusted uniformly from stage to stage as desired. a g

10. A shower head providing for spray to flood streams and vice versa comprising, in combination, a casing having a faceprovided with groups of relatively large outflow perforations; v a set of stream flow elements for controlling the flow of fluid through said perforations respectively, each element of said set comprising a hollow cylindrical tube split longitudinally to form extended adjacent edges, the adjacent edges being notched to provide relatively smallperforations and displaceable relatively to one another in a direction wholly transverse of the direction of fluid flow through the perforations of the face and arranged in position to regulate the flow therethrough, each of said elements being disposed at all times wholly without the plane ofsaid face; and means for effecting displacement of saidcoacting edges uniformly in common whereby the resulting streams are adjusted uniformly from stage to stage as desired.

EDWARD s. CORNELL, JR. 7 

